Introduction to the Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival, organized by the Brewers Association, took place from October 9-11 in Denver. This prestigious event saw 8,315 beers judged, with 347 medals awarded to 273 breweries and cideries. The festival is a culmination of the best brews from across the nation, with Southern California making a significant mark.
Southern California’s Winning Breweries
Nine breweries from Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties took home gold medals, showcasing the region’s diverse and exceptional brewing capabilities. The winners were recognized across various categories, each highlighting a unique aspect of brewing excellence.
Gold Medal Winners
- American-Style Brown Ale: Trunk Box, Left Coast Brewing Co. Tasting Room, Smokehouse & Distillery, Irvine
- American-Style Strong Pale Ale: Chaos Erupts, Unsung Brewing Co., Tustin
- Belgian-Style Blonde Ale: Rector 2025, Absolution Brewing Co., Torrance
- Brown Porter: Record Beer, 1886 Brewing Co., Orange
- Golden or Blonde Ale: Brig Blonde, Ketch Brewing, San Diego
- Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale: tracing the departed, Everywhere Beer Co., Orange
- New Zealand India Pale Ale: Chepedelic, ISM Brewing, Long Beach
- Other Strong Beer: O’Melveny Red Ale, San Fernando Brewing Co., San Fernando
- Scottish-Style Ale: Way Heavy, Pizza Port San Clemente, San Clemente
Silver Medal Winners
- American Amber/Red Ale: Summon Ifrit, BattleMage Brewing Co., Vista
- American Black Ale or American Stout: Doom Sludge, Green Cheek Beer Co., Costa Mesa
- Classic Saison: Saison For Papa, Green Cheek Beer Co., Costa Mesa
- Fruit Wheat Beer: Guava Cart, Golden Road Brewing, Anaheim
- Hoppy Non-Alcohol Beer: Run Wild, Athletic Brewing Co., production facility in San Diego
- International Light Lager: Venice Cowboy, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., propagator: Marina del Rey
- International-Style Pale Ale: Pint of Soul, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano
- Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale: Gaining Momentum, Radiant Beer Co., Anaheim
- Robust Porter: Blimp Hangar Porter, Tustin Brewing Co., Tustin
- South German-Style Hefeweizen: Abso-hefin’-lutely!, East Village Brewing Co., San Diego
- Specialty Berliner-Style Weisse: Paloma, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, San Diego
- Sweet Stout or Cream Stout: Moooving On, Beachwood Brewing, Huntington Beach
- West Coast IPA: Coast Molinos, Los Molinos Beer Co. San Clemente
- Wood- and Barrel-Aged Dessert Stout: Magnetic Ribbon: Final Cut Edition, The Original 40 Brewing Co., San Diego
- Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout: Darkstar November, Bottle Logic Brewing, Anaheim
Bronze Medal Winners
- American Black Ale or American Stout: A Dark in the Light, Radiant Beer Co., Anaheim
- American Cream Ale: Chairman’s Mexican Lager, 29 Brews, Coachella
- American-Style Brown Ale: Stone Lifeblood, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens — Liberty Station, San Diego
- Coffee Stout or Porter: Super Tonic, Docent Brewing San Juan Capistrano
- English Ale: Mosaic, Institution Ale Co., Camarillo
- Experimental India Pale Ale: Pepper & Peaches, Claremont Craft Ales, Claremont
- Fresh Hop Beer: DAMP, TapRoom Beer Co., San Diego
- Fruit Wheat Beer: Citrus Ave, Gladi8or Brews, Covina
- Golden or Blonde Ale: Salty Crew, Coronado Brewing Co. — production facility in San Diego
- Honey Beer: Honey Brown Ale, Culture Brewing, Solana Beach
- International Dark Lager: Burlingame, North Park Beer Co., San Diego
- International Light Lager: Olde Hollywood, Lawless Brewing, North Hollywood
- Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale: DDH The Other Brian, Green Cheek Beer Co., Costa Mesa
- Mexican-Style Pale Lager: Californios, Station Craft, Dana Point
- Vera Hop Beer: Nothing to Fear, HopSaint Brewing Co., Torrance
Conclusion
The Great American Beer Festival has once again highlighted the excellence of Southern California breweries, with numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded across various categories. This achievement not only underscores the region’s thriving craft beer scene but also invites beer enthusiasts to explore the diverse range of brews available in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.
FAQs
- Q: How many breweries from Southern California won medals at the Great American Beer Festival?
A: Nine breweries from Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties took home gold medals, with many more receiving silver and bronze medals. - Q: What categories did Southern California breweries win medals in?
A: The categories ranged from American-Style Brown Ale and Belgian-Style Blonde Ale to Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout, showcasing the versatility and expertise of the region’s breweries. - Q: Where can I find more information about the winning breweries and their beers?
A: More information about the winning breweries, including their locations and the beers they offer, can be found on the Great American Beer Festival’s official website or by visiting the breweries directly. - Q: How often is the Great American Beer Festival held?
A: The Great American Beer Festival is an annual event, typically taking place in Denver, Colorado. - Q: Can I attend the Great American Beer Festival?
A: Yes, the festival is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased on the event’s official website. It’s a great opportunity to taste a wide variety of beers and meet brewers from across the country.
